Charlotte Motor Speedway has updated its ROVAL course layout with synthetic turf installed at a new chicane added to the exit of oval Turn 4; For the 2018 Bank of America 500 race weekend, another chicane will be added to the oval backstretch, making the ROVAL a challenging 18-turn, 2.4-mile course with a 35-foot elevation change. Next year the ROVAL will host the first road course races in the history of NASCAR's Playoffs; Goodyear will host select NASCAR teams for a tire test on the ROVAL Oct. 17-18

CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 5, 2017) -- For Immediate Release -- Charlotte Motor Speedway has added another revolutionary "first" to its illustrious history. During this weekend's Bank of America 500, fans will notice a new front stretch chicane developed with the installation of a Sports Fields Inc. synthetic turf. The new chicane and turf are located at the exit of Turn 4 and are part of a new layout for the speedway's 2018 ROVAL course. The innovative ROVAL will feature an 18-turn, 2.4-mile layout for the Bank of America 500 on Sept. 28-30, 2018 – the first road course race in the 14-year history of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

The groundbreaking synthetic turf project – designed to slow cars down quicker and more efficiently than regular grass – became a reality through the use of: 42,000 square feet of synthetic turf – more than half the length of a football field; 1,100 gallons of glue; 300,000 pounds of sand; 900 man-hours of planning and installation.

Drivers in next year's NASCAR fall classic will decelerate in oval Turn 3 into the new, left-right chicane – surrounded by synthetic turf – as they exit Turn 4 and before they approach the start-finish line. A second chicane will be added to the speedway's backstretch to allow the course to become compatible for traditional road course setups. The additional turns will provide extra passing zones to entertain the fans as well as an added challenge to drivers competing for 130 exhilarating laps in next year's race.

"As the ROVAL itself is an innovation, we believe this revolutionary new use of synthetic turf was the perfect fit for our world-class racing venue," said Marcus Smith, the president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. "The turf is more manageable than grass, resistant to heat and it provides a smooth, speed-scrubbing surface should a car spin through it.

"We connected with Brian Storm and Sports Fields through an introduction by Kevin Harvick, and we greatly appreciate all of the hard work and creativity fueled into this project from Sports Fields. We're excited to see how the turf and the new chicanes add to the excitement for next year's Bank of America 500 on the ROVAL."

The ROVAL will offer drivers the ultimate measure of physical endurance, strategy and tire conservation in a race that will be 145 kilometers longer than any road course event in NASCAR. Accomplished drivers including Mario Andretti, Jeff Gordon, A.J. Allmendinger, Jeff Burton, Max Papis and Alex Wurz have driven the course and witnessed its show-stopping potential.

As an added bonus, fans who buy tickets to this year's Bank of America 500 – Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s final Charlotte Motor Speedway start as a full-time driver – will have the option of renewing their tickets for the 2018 ROVAL race at 2017 event prices.

Country Music Star Brad Paisley, U.S. Olympic Skier Hannah Kearney Among Distinguished Dignitaries Taking Part in Bank of America 500 Weekend

Award-winning country music star Brad Paisley will serve as Grand Marshal for Sunday's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Courtesy of Bieber Public Relations)

Award-winning country music star Brad Paisley will serve as Grand Marshal for Sunday's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway; U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist and three-time World Champion mogul skier Hannah Kearney will drive the 2018 Toyota Camry pace car as the race's Honorary Pace Car Driver; Country music sensation Carly Pearce will sing the national anthem

Award-winning country music singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer Brad Paisley will serve as Grand Marshal for Sunday's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, joining a diverse list of dignitaries set to take the stage during the action-packed race weekend.

Paisley – a three-time GRAMMY winner – will join dignitaries including U.S. Olympic skier Hannah Kearney, an Olympic gold medalist and three-time World Champion who will serve as Honorary Pace Car Driver of the speedway's Toyota Camry pace car for Sunday's race.

Accomplished country music singer Carly Pearce – a rising star who has charted two Top 40 singles – will sing the national anthem on Sunday.

TICKETS: Fans can buy tickets to the entire Friday-Saturday-Sunday Bank of America 500 weekend starting at just $79. Camping and upgrades are also available by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visiting http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets/. Tickets are also available at the speedway ticket office. Children 13 and under get in FREE to Bojangles' Pole Night on Friday as well as Saturday's Drive for the Cure 300 presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Kids' tickets start at only $10 for the Bank of America 500.

KEEP TRACK: Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on Twitter and Instagram or become a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

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John Davison

Long-time RIS staffer, beginning in the mid-80s. Charlotte, NC area local contact.